Because We Care

The Siouxland Community Blood Bank is dedicated to providing the safest blood possible for our area hospitals and their patients. Before you can donate, you need to meet certain guidelines.

In Order to Donate You Must Be

• At least 16 years old (under 17 requires a signed Siouxland Community Blood Bank parental consent form)
• Weigh a minimum of 110 pounds
• Be in general good health
• Photo ID required for all donations

Before You Donate

You should eat a good meal whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner and remember to drink plenty of fluids both before and after your donation.

What Questions Do I Have About My Eligibilty?

Acne Medication - Accutane defers a donor for 30 days after last dose.

AIDS - Permanently disqualified

Allergies - Ok to donate. Medication or shots are ok.

Most Antibiotics - The donor will be accepted 24 hours after completion of therapy.

Blood Preasure - Must be within acceptable limits. Most medications are acceptable, but must be reviewed by SCBB collection staff.

Cancer - Melanoma, leukemia, lymphonma are permanent deferrals. All other forms of cancer deferred for 5 years (Basal Cell Skin Cancer no deferal).

Diabetes - All diabetics, if well controlled by oral medication or insulin are allowed to donate.

• Chest Pain - The donor will be evaluated by collection staff.
• Mitral Valve - The donor is eligible if symptom - free.
• Heart Caterization - The donor is deferred for 6 months from procedure date.
• Angioplasty - The donor is deferred for 12 months from procedure date.
• Cardio Vascular Surgery - An open heart surgery patient is deffered 18 months from procedure date.

Hepatitis Exposure - The donor exposed to hepatitis and is symptom free for 12 months will be accepted.

Malaria - If the donor has traveled in a malaria area or taken anti-malaria medication, the donor will be defered for 12 months.

Medications - Asprin, birth control pills, antihistamines, and thyroid medications will not disqualify the donor. Most medications are not a problem. Our staff will need to document the exact name of your medications on your donor card each time you donate.

Menstruation - Ok to donate. The donor should use her own discretion.

Pregnancy - The donor will be accepted 6 weeks post pregnancy.

Tattoos - Persons who had a tattoo in the previous 12 months from an inspected and licensed facility (uses a single-use ink and sterile needle) in the following stats are eligible to donate: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota and Texas. Donors receiving a tattoo in a state not listed abouve, or in a non-regulated facility, are deferred for 12 months from the date of the tattoo application.

• Hepatitis Vaccine - 1 day wait
• Chicken Pox - 4 week wait
• MMR - 4 week wait
• Flu Shot - no wait
• Oral Polio - 2 week wait

After the Donation Process

You need to leave the site bandage on for at least two hours to make sure that bleeding has stopped and to help insure the area is kept free of any germs. We encourage you to avoid strenuous use of your arm for 12 hours, smoking for 1 hour, and to continue to drink extra non-alcoholic liquids for the remainder of the day.

How long do I have to wait before I can donate again?

Know the date you donated and the type of blood you donated on your last visit. The followingchart may help you know when you are eliglible to donate again.

• Whole Blood - 56 days
• Platelets - 7 days
• Plasma - 28 days
• Double Red - 112 days

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